Word
hydrochloric
Phoneticshy·drochlo·ric
UK/hˌaɪdɹəklˈɔːɹɪk/
Definition
adj. relating to a strong acid made from hydrogen and chlorine. You see it most often in the phrase hydrochloric acid, the clear liquid used in labs and also found in your stomach to help digest food.
adj. containing or derived from hydrogen chloride, most commonly in the compound hydrochloric acid (HCl), a strong corrosive mineral acid. Typically appears attributively before 'acid' in laboratory, industrial, and physiological contexts.
Examples
“Your stomach uses hydrochloric acid to digest food.”
“The teacher adds hydrochloric acid to the test tube to show how it reacts with metal.”
“Although diluted hydrochloric acid occurs naturally in gastric juice, the concentrated laboratory form requires careful handling because its fumes can damage eyes and lungs.”
Examples
simple
“Your stomach uses hydrochloric acid to digest food.”
contextual
“The teacher adds hydrochloric acid to the test tube to show how it reacts with metal.”
complex
“Although diluted hydrochloric acid occurs naturally in gastric juice, the concentrated laboratory form requires careful handling because its fumes can damage eyes and lungs.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “hydrochloric” in context.
Verb
01. dilute hydrochloric
“Always dilute hydrochloric carefully by adding acid to water, never the reverse.”
verb + adj
02. hydrochloric burns
“Hydrochloric burns skin on contact, so gloves are mandatory in the lab.”
adj + verb
03. hydrochloric corrodes
“Hydrochloric corrodes steel quickly if protective coatings are damaged.”
adj + verb
04. neutralize hydrochloric
“Add sodium bicarbonate to neutralize hydrochloric safely after the experiment.”
verb + adj
Adjective
05. hydrochloric acid
“Hydrochloric acid in the stomach helps break down food during digestion.”
adj + noun
06. hydrochloric fumes
“Workers wore masks to avoid inhaling toxic hydrochloric fumes in the plant.”
adj + noun
07. hydrochloric solution
“The assistant prepared a dilute hydrochloric solution for the titration experiment.”
adj + noun
Noun
08. bottle of hydrochloric
“Store the bottle of hydrochloric in a locked, ventilated cabinet.”
noun + prep + adj
09. drop of hydrochloric
“A single drop of hydrochloric can damage fabric permanently.”
noun + prep + adj
10. concentrated hydrochloric acid
“Concentrated hydrochloric acid must be handled in a fume hood.”
11. dilute hydrochloric acid solution
“The students used a dilute hydrochloric acid solution to clean the samples.”
12. handle hydrochloric acid with care
“Always handle hydrochloric acid with care and wear protective goggles.”
Usage
Almost always used in the phrase 'hydrochloric acid'; typically placed before the noun it modifies.
Real-World Examples
“The acquisition, Olin's biggest to date, will give the company the opportunity to boost sales of hydrochloric acid, which is in short supply because of strong demand from the oil and gas industry.” Etymology
From hydro- + chloric.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Related words
Domain
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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